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Enjoy a breakfast consisting of pancakes, sausage, tea, coffee, and/or juice in the company of a ranger who can answer questions or teach you something new about the park. Note: Ranger will be available from 9:00am - 9:30am. Located in the Nature Center.

Join us every Thursday in February and March at Fort Cooper State Park to enjoy the birding that this park has to offer. Led by a park volunteer, this weekly fun and informative walk is open to participants of all birding levels. Participants will observe a diverse variety of birds by walking the beach, nature trails and other areas. Participants should meet down by Lake Holathlikaha and are encouraged to bring their own binoculars and bird guides!

Additional Information:

Due to weather, please call ahead to make sure the event will still take place. For more information, view the participant requirements.

Ghost Rider Tram Tour@ Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

Tickets for the tram tour are $25.00 per person and are available for purchase here.

More Information:(239) 695-1023 (A volunteer will return your call.)

Located in the Southwest region at:

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

137 Coastline Drive

Copeland , FL 34137

You don’t have to get your feet wet or drive your car down Janes Scenic Drive to see the wonders of the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The “Ghost Rider” tram, named in honor of the famous Ghost Orchid found in the park, lets you look at wildlife and plants without concentrating on the road. The park is home to more orchid species than any other place on the North American continent. The Preserve is also a haven for diverse wildlife and migratory birds. An experienced guide leads each 2 1/2 hour tram tour and points out interesting aspects of the park. The tour includes a 15 min. walk down an old logging path to see numerous air plants, a variety of ferns, and seasonally blooming orchids. The path is high and dry, but hikers need to wear closed shoes. The 20-passenger tram is wheelchair accessible and some seats face backwards. Participants will be required to sign a standard release of liability form.

This is an outdoor event, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Please wear secure, closed toe shoes for brief walks at tram stops.

The tram leaves at 10 a.m. from the ranger station at 137 Coastline Drive, Copeland, off Janes Scenic Drive. Please arrive early as the tram leaves promptly.

Additional Information:

All ticket purchases go directly to the Friends of Fakahatchee, the park's citizen support organization. For more information, visit the Friends of Fakahatchee website at orchidswamp.org.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is celebrating History month during March and will be welcoming Nigel Rudolph, Public Archaeology Coordinator for Florida Public Archaeology Network’s (FPAN) Central Regional Center and USF Department of Anthropology. Rudolph will be presenting a special program on Thursday, March 22, 2018 entitled Shell Middens and Ceremonial Centers: Native Americans along the Nature Coast. The program will start at 10:30 am in the Florida Room of the park’s Visitor Center located on US Hwy. 19.

In describing his program Rudolph says, “The Nature Coast has been home to people thriving off its bounties for thousands of years. Before the condos and commercial fisherman, the prehistoric fisher-folk living along Florida’s north-central Gulf Coast created vibrant and large communities and left some of the most significant archaeological sites in the state of Florida. Archaeologists have come to understand these communities were far more than just people harvesting oysters, but were cosmopolitan centers of trade in a network that stretched as far north as the Great Lakes.

During this presentation, we will discuss the unique archaeological evidence and prehistoric cultures of Native Americans living along the Nature Coast. From Chassahowitzka to Cedar Key, these ‘First Floridians’ left behind evidence of their complex and dynamic cultures that survive to this day.”

Spend the afternoon enjoying the park while learning to weave a basket to complete and take home! Basket is 5” x 6” with a handle. All ages are welcome, minors must be accompanied by an adult. This event is subject to cancellation due to weather conditions. We will be meeting at the Cedar Pavilion on the west side of the park.

Guided Tours of Historic Koreshan Settlement@ Koreshan State Park

Guided Tours are $2 per person, $1 for children under 6, with regular park admission.

More Information:Ranger Station (239) 992-0311 or FriendsofKoreshan.org

Located in the Southwest region at:

Koreshan State Park

3800 Corkscrew Road

Estero, FL 33928

Join us for a Guided Walking Tour of the Historic Koreshan Settlement. Explore structures and gardens of the 19th century utopian settlement and learn about these idealistic pioneers. The walking tour is about an hour and a half and is accessible to all.

Additional Information:

Park admission is $2 for bicycle/pedestrian, $4 for one person in a vehicle, $5 for up to 8 persons in a vehicle. Walking tour lasts approximately 1 hour and is mostly outdoors on a crushed shell path. Please bring water, proper footware, and sun protection. Wheelchair available upon request.

Requests for these and other tours for clubs, home school associations, and other groups can be made by calling the Ranger Station at (239) 992-0311. We make every effort to accommodate all groups, however we may not be able to fulfill requests made with less than a two week notice.

Yoga and Meditation at the Prairie@ Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

This class is provided by the Friends of Paynes Prairie and Kim for the health and enjoyment of our community. There is no fee for participation in this program, but all donations are appreciated and will be given to the Friends of Paynes Prairie to directly support the yoga program. A donation box specifically for the Prairie Yoga Program will be available during the class for anyone who would like to make a donation.

More Information:Ranger Station 352-466-3397

Located in the Northeast region at:

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

100 Savannah Blvd

Micanopy, FL 32667

Yoga and Meditation at the Prairie with Kim Holton

Thursdays: March 15 through May 31 (12 classes total)

6:00 - 7:00 PM

In the Paynes Prairie Visitor Center overlooking the prairie

Yoga and Meditation with Kim Holton in the Paynes Prairie Visitor Center overlooking the prairie. A beautiful place to relax and unwind from the day.

This dynamic class will vary each week but always start with a half hour to 45 minutes of postures and movement appropriate for all levels, and end with 15-30 minutes of guided meditation. Longer meditations will always be done lying down. If you love to feel good, relax and enjoy the beauty of the prairie, this class is for you. Open to all levels of experience. If you have a mat or blanket, please bring one with you.